Months of winter induced hibernation is well and truly over as Spring has injected life into Brisbane and its surrounding regions. Festivals abound this weekend, and over the coming school holidays with events to satisfy curious minds, nature lovers, and hungry foodies.

Cover Photo by Eat Street

Sweet! Head to Eat Street’s Kombi Alley Drive-Through Dessert Festival

For everyone who’s been waiting with excitement for the day when the Eat Street Markets re-open, well this weekend, and over the School Hoilday weekends, Eat Street is re-opening with a twist to keep you all safe and contained. Welcome to the Kombi Alley “Drive-Through” Dessert festival. Choose from cronuts, doughnut fries, canolli, super shakes, glazed doughnuts & take home ice-cream tubs  from the comfort of your car. Tune in your radio to 88.1 FM and listen to Eat Street’s own Drive-Thru DJ, Johnny Dram.

When: Friday and Saturday, 3pm–9pm, and Sunday, 12pm–8pm, until 4 October.

Where: More info here

Make the most of the Swell Sculpture Festival and head to the Gold Coast

It’s your last weekend to see Queensland’s largest outdoor sculpture exhibition. Come face to face with awe-inspiring sculptures by local, national and international artists at the 18th SWELL Sculpture Festival

Stay a little longer and discover a range of unique experiences; guided twilight walks through the artworks, artist talks next to the sculptures and artist led workshops.

When: Sep 11 - 20

Where: Gold Coast

More info here

Day trip it out to Toowoomba and see the stunning Carnival of Flowers

The iconic Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers is back, and right now 170,000 blooms carpeting the entire city for the festival.  This year’s event is of course with a socially distant twist, but breath-taking floral displays, plus music, twilight tours and food are still very much on offer. For an even better view, snatch a pod on the ferris wheel located in the middle of Queens Gardens. Top tip: Definitely stick around after dark for The Night Garden and witness the stunning light display which will take over the Botanic Gardens.

When: Sep 18 - 27

Where: Toowoomba

More info here

Watch Independent Films at a historic theatre

The historic Elizabeth Picture Theatre is the site of this year’s Australia Independent Film Festival. Multiple screening sessions will take place from Sep 18 - 19, showcasing the very best Australian and International short films, documentaries, animations and more!

When: Sep 18 - 19

Where: Elizabeth Picture Theatre

More info here

Let the festivities Be-Gin! Brisbane Gin Festival 

Taking place over two days, Saturday and Sunday, get your tastebuds ready for the Brisbane Gin Festival. Taste signature gin cocktails, and delight at delectable eats at Welcome To Bowen Hills. The festival will feature gin makers such as Wolf Lane Distillery, Larrikin Gin, Brisbane Gin and more. Although all tickets to the earlier sessions are sold out, you can try your luck for the free 730pm sessions. 

When: Sep 19-20

Where: Welcome to Bowen Hills, Bowen Hills

More info here

Get your kids outdoors and entertained these School Holidays

Kids Collective is a free holiday program running Monday to Friday at Roma Street Parkland. Aimed at kids from 5-12 years old, the free outdoor series is set to entertain children with a range of educational and interactive activities, stimulating parts of the brain that assist in creative thinking, problem solving as well as fine and gross motor skills. Southbank will host the Kids Collective Thursday mornings for the younger kids 0-5 years old.

When: Sep 21 - Oct 2

Where: Roma Street Parkland and Southbank

More info here for Romat St Parkland and here for Southbank

Ignite your kids imagination at Queensland Museum’s Sparklab

Visit Queensland Museum’s SparkLab these school holidays and explore interactive exhibits and discover how science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) affect your everyday world. Ideal for 6 to 13 year olds, there are live experiments at the Science Bar and kids can get hands on at the Maker Space, designing and creating a solution to a challenging question.

When: Ongoing

Where: Qld Museum

More info here

Remake Regenerate Reclaim

Digi Youth Arts presents a collection of performances across music and spoken word in response to Uncle Richard Bell’s Embassy; a public space for imagining and articulating alternate futures and reflecting on, or retelling, stories of oppression and displacement. These performances are the outcome of a creative development program that nurtures the next generation of Indigenous young people by providing space to remake, regenerate and reclaim their culture through performance, visual art and music.

When: Sep 19 Sat 4pm. FREE.

Where: Bunyapa Park, West End

Discover the Minjerribah Arts Trail

Hop to Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah) as you discover local artists and makers. Visitors will be welcomed to artsits private studios, workshops and galleries in celebration of Minjerribah’s opulent arts and vibrant local artist community. Held over three consecutive weekends (Friday-Monday), you can design your own arts trail experience. Meet the artists and makers, understand their inspirations and practices, take part in a workshop or just browse and buy in the galleries and studios.

When: Sep 18 - Oct 5

Where: Minjerribah, North Stradbroke Island

More info here

Catch a free midweek flick, Rom Coms & Nom Noms

The midweek Rom Coms & Nom Noms pop-up cinema and bar is back at Brisbane City’s Post Office Square. The inner-city green space of Post Office Square will host a line-up of popular romantic comedies and a pop-up bar catered by Isles Lane.

When: Every Wednesday in September from 5pm

Where: Post Office Square

More info here

Due to COVID19 please check with individual operators, or their official websites (social media accounts), for the most up to date information on events or activities listed on this site.